Tag Archives: IESO

Once again, the anti-nuclear Ontario Clean Air Alliance ignores the facts about the feasibility of replacing nuclear power with hydroelectricity imports from Quebec.

Currently, the people of Ontario benefit from the safe, reliable, low-cost energy generated at the Pickering nuclear power plant. Importing hydro from Quebec would require millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades, and result in higher consumer prices, less energy reliability, and result in thousands of job losses.

Last year’s report by Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) said Quebec would not be able to supply Ontario with electricity during the winter season because it would not have enough to supply its own needs.

According to the IESO: “To be able to supply Ontario with firm year-round capacity, it is expected that Hydro-Quebec would need to build additional resources above what they have for internal capacity needs.”

The all-in cost of long-term large-scale purchases from Quebec, including the cost of required interconnections and transmission investment in Ontario and Quebec and the cost of new hydro generation investment in Quebec, would be significantly more than quoted by the OCAA

Like all things that appear to be a cure for all ills, the real solution is somewhat more complex. Portraying hydro imports as a cost-effective baseload replacement is a non-viable solution to a problem that does not exist.

According to the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), nuclear’s output is usually highest in mid-winter and mid-summer. This is due to the increased electrical demand as a result of heating and cooling.

But March isn’t typically a high-demand month, which makes this record all the more impressive.

The more Ontario relies on nuclear energy, the fewer greenhouse gases the province releases into the atmosphere.

Over the entire lifecycle, including construction, transportation, operation and decommissioning, nuclear is one of the cleanest options available, emitting about 16 grams of CO2 per kWh. It compares favorably with hydro (4 grams), wind (12 grams) and solar (46 grams), and is a vast improvement over gas (469 grams).

This past March, gas only contributed 1.09 billion kWh, which is less than usual, and translates into less air pollution.

Nuclear power generated 62 per cent of Ontario’s electricity for the year of 2014, recently released data shows.

The Independent Electrical System Operator (IESO) bought 94.9 terawatt hours of electricity from nuclear generators in 2014. That’s 62 percent of electricity delivered through Ontario’s grid, up from 59 per cent in 2013.

Better yet – the nuclear power industry delivered all this electricity at roughly six cents per kilowatt-hour. That’s well below the average price paid by Ontario consumers of 8.5 cents.

In just six years, nuclear has increased to 63 per cent from 53 per cent in 2008, according to the IESO.

This confirms the wisdom of Ontario’s strategic investment in nuclear energy and shows its enduring benefits.

Nuclear power continues to provide Ontario with safe, reliable, and carbon-free electricity at a price well below the rates set in Ontario’s regulated-price plan. The province’s nuclear electricity providers – Ontario Power Generation Inc. and Bruce Power – received approximately six cents per kilowatt hour in 2014.

In addition to affordable electricity, the nuclear industry provided significant economic benefits to Ontario through thousands of durable, high-paying jobs. According to Canada’s Manufacturers and Exporters, the nuclear industry employs about 60,000 people directly and in its supply chains.

Rejuvenating ten of Ontario’s 18 nuclear reactors would add thousands more jobs between 2016 and 2031.